Retail sales are down 4% nationally but George Keleman of the Texas Retailers Association says the Houston area is doing better than that. "The greater Houston area is somewhere between negative 4 to even with last year. The dividing is 'essential' verses 'nonessential.'" Essential brick and mortar businesses like grocery, hardware and big box stores are doing really well mostly because most people are staying home and not going out and need what those stores are selling. "Retail essential has done really well and is looking forward to just as good a holiday season as we have had in the last few years."
Keleman says nonessential stores that incorporated online shopping and flexible delivery options stand a good chance of having a great holiday.